The Nationals have sent minor league outfielder Darnell McDonald to the Twins in a deal that allows them to keep Speigner, a Rule 5 pick who had been designated for assignment, the Associated Press reports.

Speigner was an odd Rule 5 pick in 2007, a pitcher who wasn't particularly young, had mediocre stuff, and hadn't dominated any minor league level. He was understandably awful in the majors and not much better at Triple-A, and while Speigner does get some ground balls there's really nothing else here to indicate that he'll be anything but a minor league journeyman.

2007

Rule 5 pick from the Twins has a good shot of sticking on a thin Nationals staff.